Thread: Newbie Wine Q

Hi Phil,

I suggest you buy "the only wine book one really needs", i.e. Hugh Johnsons
Wine Companion. Small enough to fit into your pocket while you go "label
surfing" in you wine shop. It is most probably the most compact, yet quite
complete book ever published about the world of wine. As there is a new
edition every year, you should try to get the 2011 edition which should be
in the shelves by now. Browse through the book, and find out from Johnson's
descriptions if this is the kind of wine you would like to try.

Can't really help you with the wine outlets in the UK, but remember that
taxes on wines(especially on the cheaper end of the market) tend to be
higher in Britain than in France or the Benelux countries, so if you get the
bug, it might be worthwile to take you car to mainland Europe and fill your
trunk!

All the best,

Yves


"TheScullster" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] uk...
> Hi all
>
> First time in this group and it looks well spammed!
> Anywho - being a total wine duffer, I am looking for something a bit up
> market from our usual tipple.
> Me and the missus have enjoyed the Jacob's Creek standard of tipple and
> are particularly partial to their reds (Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon).
> For this we pay £7-£9 a bottle IIRC.
> If I pay nearer £20, will I see a significant improvement in
> quality/flavour etc?
>
> If so, whose wines should I try? If you are familiar with the Jacob's
> Creek offerings, they are rich and thick (sort of thing) - not at all
> watery. Is this what's known as full bodied? This is the style of wine I
> would be looking to buy, with whatever improvement can be bought IYSWIM.
>
> Suggestions on variety and stockist anyone please?
>
> TIA
>
> Phil
>

Sticking with Aussie wines the following come to my mind:
Penfolds Kalimna bin 28 Shiraz
Brown Brothers Shiraz
Both are marginally expensiver and probably better, especially the Kalimna.

Anders

"TheScullster" <[email protected]> skrev i melding
news:[email protected] uk...
> Hi all
>
> First time in this group and it looks well spammed!
> Anywho - being a total wine duffer, I am looking for something a bit up
> market from our usual tipple.
> Me and the missus have enjoyed the Jacob's Creek standard of tipple and
> are particularly partial to their reds (Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon).
> For this we pay £7-£9 a bottle IIRC.
> If I pay nearer £20, will I see a significant improvement in
> quality/flavour etc?
>
> If so, whose wines should I try? If you are familiar with the Jacob's
> Creek offerings, they are rich and thick (sort of thing) - not at all
> watery. Is this what's known as full bodied? This is the style of wine I
> would be looking to buy, with whatever improvement can be bought IYSWIM.
>
> Suggestions on variety and stockist anyone please?
>
> TIA
>
> Phil
>

On Nov 15, 3:40*am, "TheScullster" <p...@dropthespam.com> wrote:
> Hi all
>
> First time in this group and it looks well spammed!
> Anywho - being a total wine duffer, I am looking for something a bit up
> market from our usual tipple.
> Me and the missus have enjoyed the Jacob's Creek standard of tipple and are
> particularly partial to their reds (Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon).
> For this we pay £7-£9 a bottle IIRC.
> If I pay nearer £20, will I see a significant improvement in quality/flavour
> etc?
>
> If so, whose wines should I try? *If you are familiar with the Jacob's Creek
> offerings, they are rich and thick (sort of thing) - not at all watery. *Is
> this what's known as full bodied? *This is the style of wine I would be
> looking to buy, with whatever improvement can be bought IYSWIM.
>
> Suggestions on variety and stockist anyone please?
>
> TIA
>
> Phil

I'll not make recs, as I'm in US and what's available will be
different. But my best advice is to try a wineshop with a good staff.
Tell them what you've like, try their suggestions, and then report
back your reactions. There'll be some early misses, but eventually a
good shop will zero in on your preferences.